“Almost,” Lytle tweeted on Tuesday after the vote tallies. “I finished 2nd. It was a good fight.”

Lytle, an Indianapolis firefighter who lives in New Palestine, Ind., concluded a memorable 20-fight UFC career with a third-round submission victory over Dan Hardy in the headliner of this past August’s UFC on Versus 5 event. In trademark fashion, he picked up the night’s “Fight of the Night” and “Submission of the Night” bonuses. Such awards (including a record six “Fight of the Night” bonuses) accounted for $515,000 in extra pay during his decade-long UFC career.

Despite a 5-1 record in his final six fights, the 37-year-old married father of four opted to retire so he could spend more time at home. However, a month after his retirement, he announced his Senate run.

“They’re a little disappointed because [my family was] like, ‘Oh man, I thought you were going to be home all the time now,'” Lytle told MMAjunkie.com (www.mmajunkie.com) back in October. “I’m busy, but I get to be home with my kids at night now, so that’s great.”

Lytle, who first considered a career in politics when he was involved in Indiana’s move to MMA regulation in 2009, ran on a platform focused on job creation, education, gun rights, illegal immigration and other issues.

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